How much do movers cost per hour in Austin?
Most Austin movers charge $90 to $180 per hour for a two-person crew with a truck. Three-person crews generally run $130 to $220 per hour. Rates vary by company, crew size, and season.
Movers in Austin, TX, cost between $90 and $180 per hour for a two-person crew with a truck, and most local moves total $400 to $1,600 depending on home size. A studio typically runs $300 to $600, a two-bedroom apartment $600 to $1,000, and a three-bedroom house $1,000 to $1,650. Long-distance moves out of Austin are priced based on shipment weight and mileage rather than hours and typically range from $2,500 to $12,000.
Those ranges are wide for a reason. Austin moving costs are driven by four variables that compound: how many hours the job takes, how many movers are on it, what needs packing, and how hard the property is to access. A downtown high-rise with a reserved freight elevator and a fifth-floor unit will bill differently from a ground-floor duplex in Crestview with driveway parking. Evolution Moving Company quotes hourly rates up front by phone and confirms final pricing before move day, so the number you plan around is the number you pay.
Austin Local Moving Costs by Home Size
| Home Size | Crew Size | Typical Hours | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers | 2 to 3 | $300 to $600 |
| 1 bedroom | 2 movers | 3 to 5 | $400 to $750 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 2 to 3 movers | 3 to 5 | $600 to $1,000 |
| 3-bedroom house | 3 to 4 movers | 5 to 7 | $1,000 to $1,650 |
| 4-bedroom house | 4+ movers | 7 to 10 | $1,600 to $2,500 |
| 5+ bedroom or estate | 4 to 6 movers | 8 to 12+ | $2,500 to $4,000+ |
Most Austin movers, including Evolution Moving Company, apply a two-hour minimum. That protects the crew’s time on very small jobs and is standard across the market.
How Hourly Billing Actually Works
Hourly pricing in Austin follows a consistent structure once you know what to look for.
- The clock starts when the crew begins work at your origin address and stops when the last item is placed at your destination.
- Crew size changes the rate but not always the total. Adding a third mover raises the hourly rate but often shortens the job enough that the final bill lands close to the same, with less time on your calendar.
- Travel time policies vary. Some companies add a flat travel fee, commonly around 30 minutes, to cover the drive from their base. Evolution Moving Company does not add fuel fees or travel charges to local Austin moves.
- Materials are billed separately. Boxes, tape, paper, mattress bags, and dish packs are charged per unit.
Long Distance Moves From Austin
Once you leave the metro, pricing logic changes completely. Interstate and long-haul moves are quoted by weight and distance.
| Route | Distance | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Austin to Houston | 165 miles | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| Austin to Dallas | 195 miles | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| Austin to Los Angeles | 1,379 miles | $2,500 for 1BR to $10,600 for 4BR |
| Austin to San Francisco | 1,750 miles | Around $5,000 average |
| General out of state | Varies | $3,000 to $12,000 |
For a 1,000-mile move with a typical two-bedroom shipment weighing 5,000 to 6,000 pounds, expect roughly $2,900 to $5,900.
What Drives Your Austin Quote Up or Down
Several Austin-specific factors move the number more than people expect.
Access and parking. When a truck cannot park within about 75 feet of your door, a long-carry fee applies, typically $75 to $200. This comes up constantly in Downtown Austin, West Campus, and along South Lamar, where curb space is metered or restricted.
Elevators and stairs. Third-floor walkups add hours. Shared freight elevators in high-rises add waiting time. Reserving an elevator window in advance is the single best way to control this cost.
Certificate of insurance requirements. Most managed buildings in Downtown Austin, The Domain, and Mueller require a COI naming the property manager before crews can enter. Handling this two weeks ahead prevents a delayed start.
Season and date. June through August is peak season in Austin. Moving mid-week, mid-month, and between October and April can save 15 to 25 percent.
Packing services. Full packing typically runs about $1,000 on average, ranging from $280 to $2,200 by home size. Partial packing, where the crew handles kitchens, glassware, art, and TVs while you pack clothes and books, usually cuts that in half.
Specialty items. Pianos, safes, gun safes, pool tables, and large appliances require additional equipment and often an added flat charge.
Ways to Lower Your Austin Moving Cost
- Reduce volume before you get quoted. Every box you donate is a box you do not pay to load, carry, and unload.
- Move mid-week and mid-month. Austin leases turn over on the 1st and 31st, so those dates carry the highest demand.
- Stage boxes near the exit the night before. Crews load significantly faster from a staged pile.
- Reserve your elevator and parking early. Waiting time is billable time.
- Get three written quotes and compare what each one includes rather than only the hourly rate.
Verify Before You Book
Texas requires all in-state household movers to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Interstate movers must carry a USDOT number. Ask for both, and confirm whether crews are W-2 employees or day laborers, because that difference shows up in training and damage rates.
Get a Straight Number for Your Austin Move
Our local movers provide professional residential and commercial moving services throughout Austin, TX, and the surrounding communities. We offer experienced movers, transparent upfront pricing, and no hidden fuel or travel surcharges, making it easy to plan your move with confidence. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote and let our team handle every step of your relocation.